Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-10-05

since SCnOOl on that evening but nOth-
ing had been thought of it, as the heavy
storm would have been considered
sufficient excuse for him remaining all
night with friends or relatives in the
town.
But this terror of the poor mother
was so real that she could not bepu1-
suaded out of it. The man Joe had
always been her chieffear and detesta-
ton, which she could not conceal when
within sight of him. The pirate had
long noticed this, and while heresent-
ed it by look and act, yet he seemed
to take a malignant pleasure in tor
menting her by seeking opportunities
of crossing her path or presenting him.
self to her sight.
Now with many sobs and breaks
she protested that Joe's spirit had en-
tered into her, and under its inf uence
she had killed her son. This was in
general terms, aud the recital brought
on another paroxysm more violent
than the first.
Her rawlings were all in q foreign
tongue and we could not understand
them.
The supply of sedative medicines al
ways kept for her use in the house be.
came exhausted and just about day
light volunteered to GO into the town
for more. To walk mile, wake up
the druggist, wait for the preparation
and walk back, took considerable
time. When I reached the house the
servant was evidently asleep, and in
answer to my repeated knocks my
friend had to leave his wife's bedside
for q moment and descend to give me
entrance.
He reported the patient as
still very violent, and returned up
stairs. In q second I heard his voice
calling me in tones of agony. rushed
to the chamber; the bed was empty
the window open. I looked out;
through the early sunlight | could see
a slight, white figure speeding toward
the mountain. l leaped to the ground,
my friend followed, and together we
FASTENED with all our running powers
after the fleeing woman. She made
direct for q semi-clearing, much FIRE.
quented by the young folks on account
of the wild berries growing there.
Without moments hesitation she
pushed her way into a thicket,
stopped: and picked up Harry's cap
and a few school. books, bound with
strap.
The strangeness of this arrested our
action, and we did not acccst her or
interfere; she seemed to know so per-
fectly what she wished to do, so
strong to do it, and was so calm with
a quiet of desperation. We did not
try to hide from her, only followed;
and she noticed US not in the least.
Cap and books in hand, she turned
her face and flying feet in the direction
of the hermit's den. We hurried after
as fast as we could run.
We saw her push aside the tangled
brush that hid the opening and enter
boldly in. We followed, and arrived
in time to see, by the struggling sun
light that forced its way into the
gloom, the white-robed mother on her
knees in one far corner, tearing away,
throwing away, with frantic force and
strength, q pile of loose rock that lay
there. So rapidly did she do this that
by the time we reached her and looked
down for the cause Of her action she
had already half uncovered and had
In her arms the body of her boy, and
on his neck were the Hvid ten finger
marks left by the murderous hands of
the pirate.
The stricken father led his poor wife
home. l carried the little dead boy.
She never rallied, never could explain,
and died in a week.
Now, what was all this? My theory
Of the murder is that Joe, in q fit OF
more than usual devilment, had met
the little boy, and, to be revenged for
the mothers disdain. deliberately
strangled him and then concealed his
body in the den. This is human and
rational reasoning.
But how did the mother know so
surely of the facts? How did she go
so directly, so unerringly to the fatal
localities? Is it that Joe, remorseful
after his deed, or terrified by the fear
full war of the elements hat followed
it, was really praying when We noticed
his wild actions just before his death,
and that his uneasy soul did take pos
session Of that woman's body and
place her in possession of facts that
he alone could know? It certainly
seems like it. but the subject is too
deep for me. I can only tell the truth
as it passed before my eyes.